Ruben Amorim puts Liverpool on high alert with admission over Sporting CP future

Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim put Liverpool on high alert with an admission that, unlike Xabi Alonso, he could not guarantee he would not switch clubs this summer.

Liverpool were chasing Alonso before he publicly confirmed his decision to remain at Bayer Leverkusen beyond the end of this season, handing huge blows to both the Reds and Bayern Munich in the process.

Amorim has since emerged as a top candidate to take over at Liverpool and the 39-year-old fuelled the speculation by refusing to rule out a summer exit.

Asked whether he could guarantee staying with Sporting, Amorim said bluntly: "No, I can't guarantee it."

He continued: "Sporting is already dealing with the future, I can't decide. I gave my word and I can't go back.

"If we don't win titles, I will leave Sporting. It was clear from the beginning, it was the bet I conveyed to the players. We have to win titles. First we'll see if we can do it and then we'll decide things.

"It's not a worry, the future has been planned for a long time. We're outlining all the situations for next season. So I can't guarantee that I'll stay, we have to win titles. And we are on the right path."

Amorim's contract with Sporting has a release clause which reports suggest is anywhere between £10m and £15m. Should Liverpool, or any other side, trigger that clause, Sporting would be powerless to stop Amorim from leaving and would instead need their manager to turn down the approach.

The boss was quizzed whether he would reject any sides who triggered his release clause, but Amorim kept his cards close to his chest.

"I don't want to dwell on my future, the focus is on the next game," he said."I'm not going to discuss anything about Sporting, I owe a lot to Sporting, I'm very happy here. I'll never put pressure to leave."

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